The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday examined fetal imaging centers, where pregnant women can pay $160 to $295 to receive videos of high resolution moving images of their fetuses (Graham, Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/26). The centers, which have opened in nonmedical settings across the U.S. for several years, have caused concern because they are not regulated and because anyone with an ultrasound machine can open such a studio (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/17/04). While some providers believe the service is safe, FDA and the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine "frown upon the practice," according to the Inquirer. FDA in 2004 issued a statement warning pregnant women against the fetal videos, saying that the agency "views this as an unapproved use of a medical device," the Inquirer reports (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/25).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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